Ducks go from a classic to OT heartbreak

ANAHEIM – An amazing comeback by the Ducks was being written and an incredible playoff finish to inspire nicknames and stories for future generations seemed in the works.

Leave it to Detroit's Gustav Nyquist to erase it all with a giant Game 2 buzzkill.

Nyquist scored a power play goal at 1:21 into overtime to help the Red Wings survive a blown three-goal lead in the third period and win, 5-4, to tie the NHL Western Conference first-round series at a game apiece Thursday night at Honda Center.

With one shot, the Red Wings stunned a raucous crowd and packed home-ice advantage in their travel bags. Game 3 is Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena.

"It’s a crazy feeling, I’m not going to lie," Ducks winger Andrew Cogliano said. "First time in the playoffs and to experience something like that. Now you know the emotion. It’s tough."

Nyquist got free once and nearly beat Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller with a shot but the young winger got loose again and didn't miss while defenseman Sheldon Souray sat in the box for slashing Justin Abdelkader with 37.2 seconds left in regulation.

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau on Souray penalty call: "I was surprised. I could talk for a long time but I’m not going to talk about referees and penalties."

Johan Franzen's second goal of the night gave Detroit a 4-1 lead just 20 seconds into the third period. The game appeared to be on ice but no one told the Ducks.

Ryan Getzlaf inexplicably passed when he was in alone on Wings goalie Jimmy Howard but made up for it with a backhand at 7:51 to cut into the Detroit advantage. Kyle Palmieri made it 4-3 with just 7:29 left and a sellout crowd was roaring.

It was at full volume with 2:22 remaining as Bobby Ryan converted a nice pass from Cam Fowler for the tie. The Wings and Howard, who made 28 saves, were in full self-destruct mode.

Hiller got beat twice early but kept the game going with a remarkable save on Wings star Pavel Datsyuk while lying on his back with 46 seconds left. But Souray got whistled while battling with Abdelkader for position.

The good times for the Ducks that emanated their Game 1 win quickly came to a halt moments after the opening faceoff.

Any momentum that was built ended 48 seconds in when Justin Abdelkader beat Hiller with a wrist shot off a turnover on Detroit's first shot with the seats yet to be warmed up.

Damien Brunner then got his first playoff goal and the Ducks were down two without five minutes being played. Franzen made it 3-0 with a rebound goal after only 64 seconds elapsed in the second.

Saku Koivu did get the Ducks on the scoreboard with a power-play goal, ending a 21-game drought that stretched back to March 16.